Online Courses at Universities - Essay Example

Should Universities Cancel Online s? Introduction Universities should keep online s because it has to be effective in nearly all aspects compared to classroom education since it is preferred by many people. From the onset, canceling online education would lead to inequality in education. Stiglitz (n/p) asserts that, inequality causes societal disorganization. Canceling online courses would prevent most people from geting opportunities for education. The subject has attracted a number of surveys, specifically those that focus on tracking the popularity of online education. The results of such studies insinuated that the positive perception regarding online education has continued to grow. They also revealed that its growth is facilitated by the increase in the adult population who seek education. It has also grown because most school leaders have endorsed it as an equally competitive option. Above all, the advancement of the information technology concepts has triggered the adoption of online education. This paper focuses on discussing whether universities and colleges should cancel online courses. The initial theory and stand of the argument is that online education provides an alternative that is equally competitive in every aspect compared to the traditional or classroom learning approach. For this reason, higher learning institutions should not cancel online education. Reasons Why Online Education Should not be Canceled Firstly, online courses should not be rescinded because of the flexibility and convenience presented by the education system (Ni, 205). The learning system allows individuals who have tight schedules such as working mothers, to access education at their convenient time. Other people who exist in the same category include managers and students who wish to pursue multiple courses at the same time. In this context, such people can access education without interfering with other equally important agendas. On the same context, it helps students to access education without being inconvenienced by longer distances of separation between the location of the institutions and their locations. In an online article published by Vanity Fair in 2011, Stiglitz (n/p) asserted that inequality diminishes the opportunity. Canceling online courses would limit other people from accessing education. Lack or inadequate education of people limits the human resourcefulness of a nation. It also provides alternatives for students who cannot find their preferred courses in the universities near them. Studying online is also advantageous because the web is full of different kinds of information that may support students study progress. Online education has cut education costs. For instance, cost decreases when students do not have to move from their locations to foreign locations or make alternative living arrangements. Cost also falls because students can access multiple information sources on the web and may not need to purchase textbooks. Secondly, the system facilitates the development of student’s technical skills and desirable work-related attributes (Swan, 5). When talking about technical skills, computer operations, and information literacy skills come into perspective. For instance, online education requires students to be conversant with most computer applications. Such students tend to develop such skills while going through the management system for a given training program. Similarly, the learning method requires the students to search for information on the web and verify them for the credibility of their sources before using them to establish logical conclusions. The skills come into play when such students gain employments in various organizations. For instance, such people can create and share work related materials. They are also capable of evaluating the importance of other materials and attach them to the original documents to give it a comprehensive view. Fourthly, such students tend to exhibit confidence, reliability and a sense of independence at workplace. The attributes develop from the fact that they do not depend on anyone when it comes to initiating and organizing their online sessions. In her research on the impact of online education on communication, Betts (2) reached a conclusion that the concept facilitates written communication tendency among individuals. In the preceding discussion, I discussed that online education helps students to develop computer usage skills. Part of such skills includes sending emails and using instant chats with online student care department. Again, the skill may translate positively for students who manage to get employments. In such organizations, they know when and how to initiate communication processes with the executives of the places where they work. This tendency is encouraged by the fact that students who undergo online education have to communicate with the universities where they are affiliated. In other words, such students understand the importance of online communication since they do not visit their schools as often as regular or face-to-face students. Counterargument However, people with negative views regarding the system may discredit it on the basis of its selective communication style. Specifically, the system encourages students to rely on over on a particular communication method; online communication. Students tend to communicate with their institutions via emails or instant messages. This tendency tends to prevent such students from developing oral communication confidence and skills. The discussion coincides with Ni’s assertion that online education prevents a student’s interaction with teachers and fellow students (201). Online learning approach is limiting when it comes to student’s ability to ask questions. In this case, classroom education seems to be more efficient than online learning process because students can disagree with the views presented by the teachers. In classes, students can also make contributions during discussions. One of the most pronounced disadvantages of online learning system is that it discourages a students ability to work in a team. This factor is facilitated by students over independence when doing assignments or studies. The fact that they think that their opinions are superior tends to discourage them from working with others, especially if they have divergent views. Online students dig for information on the web and establish unchallenged arguments. This experience contradicts with the fact that groups present a variety of opinions on how to do things. Even if they participate in society works, they want to be in control of all sessions. Lastly, some people may also argue that online learning experience does not offer character modeling experiences as is characteristic of classroom education. The common notion is that behavior can be learned and unlearnt, especially through association or relation with others in a particular environment (Swan, 10). Conclusion The arguments presented in the essay reveals that online education system has many advantages compare to its disadvantages. Online courses have created educational opportunities for students who are affected by the limitations present in most public and private higher learning institutions. In the current circumstances, most universities and colleges experience challenges that include shortage of courses and higher tuition fees. In addition, universities are also unevenly spread across most countries. The popularity of online education can be attributed to the present evidences that affirm that it is also as effective as the traditional school system. For these reasons, universities should not cancel online courses. Instead, they can look for ways to rectify the disadvantages of adopting the system. Specifically, they should find ways to remedy the negative impacts it has on individuals ability to work in a team. They should also rectify its adverse effects on the development of oral communication confidence and related skills. References Betts, Kristen. "Lost in translation: Importance of effective communication in online education." Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 12.2 (2009). Ni, Anna Ya. "Comparing the Effectiveness of Classroom and Online Learning: Teaching Research Methods." Journal of Public Affairs Education Volume 19 Number 2 (2013): 199. Swan, Karen. "Learning effectiveness online: What the research tells us." Elements of quality online education, practice and direction 4 (2003): 13-47. Stiglitz, Joseph. "Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%." Vanity Fair. 1 May 2011. Web. 26 Jan. 2015. http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105# Read More